Serp index suppression

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods and devices are provided for suppressing and utilizing a SERP. Upon generating and sending a search query to a search engine, a browser will receive search results from the search engine based on the search query, the search results comprising a SERP (search engine result page). Then, prior to and without rendering the SERP, the browser will identify a particular webpage identified in the search results. That webpage will be accessed and displayed automatically, prior to displaying the SERP, while a one input link to the SERP will also be displayed concurrently with the webpage.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/462,582, filed on Mar. 17, 2017, entitled “ACCESSING CONTENT FROMSUPPRESSED URL INDEX”, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/310,811, filed on Mar. 21,2016, entitled “LIST INDEX PRESENTATION SUPPRESSION SEARCH ENGINE,” aswell as U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/384,499, filedon Sep. 7, 2016, entitled “LIST INDEX PRESENTATION SUPPRESSION,” as wellas U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/409,736, filed onOct. 18, 2016, entitled “DOUBLE NAVIGATION FOR LIST INDEX PRESENTATIONSUPPRESSION AND PERSISTENCE,” as well as U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/432,989, filed on Dec. 12, 2016, entitled“MOBILE DOUBLE NAVIGATION FOR LIST INDEX PRESENTATION SUPPRESSION,” aswell as U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/472,347, filedon Mar. 16 2017, entitled “IN-MEMORY SUPPRESSION OF QUERY GENERATEDINDEXES AND INTERFACES FOR NAVIGATING INDEXED CONTENT.” The foregoingapplications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

Various systems and interfaces have been created for accessing andnavigating content on the internet. For instance, when a user enterssearch terms into a browser interface, that browser will generate asearch request that is sent to one or more search engines to identifyindexed content corresponding with the search terms. When the browserreceives search results back from the search engine(s), the browser willdisplay the search results with controls for accessing and navigatingthrough the search results.

Many browsers are distributed applications with interfaces that areconfigured to run on client machines and/or as services provided byremote hosts. Some browsers are also integrated into and hosted by thesearch engines. While other browsers are hosted by completely differentdomains than those that are hosting the search engines. Google, Bing andYahoo are some non-limiting examples of search engines.

It is typical for search engines to utilize indexes that identifycorrelations between various search terms and the content that isavailable on different webpages. The indexes are formulated and updatedin response to data obtained by web crawlers that identify and examinewebpages. Each of the search engines utilize complex algorithms toweight the relevance between the search terms and the content identifiedin their indexes. Most search engines compile their search results intoan ordered list, comprising a SERP (Search Engine Results Page). TheSERP references different webpages containing content associated withthe search terms. The browser presents the SERP, as a webpage to theuser, with selectable links for each of the listed search result items.When a link is selected, the browser is redirected from the searchengine domain to a different domain that is hosting the contentcorresponding to the selected link.

In some instances, the listing of content links identified in the SERPare sequenced in an order that is based on relevance, such as, forexample, based on contextual correlations to the search terms providedby the browser and/or based on how recently the content was indexedand/or updated by the search engine web crawlers. The indexes for eachsearch engine are formulated and updated in different ways. Forinstance, different search engines use different web crawlers atdifferent times and they also use different algorithms for determiningthe significance or relevance between different terms. Accordingly, theresults (e.g., SERP) returned by each of the different search engineswill almost always be different. For instance, the SERP provided by onesearch engine might include references in a different order than theSERP provided by another search engine. Likewise, references in one SERPmight be excluded from another SERP.

Some users are aware of the foregoing discrepancies and will sometimesgo through the laborious process of interfacing with a plurality ofdifferent search engines to ensure that they are receiving the mostappropriate content being searched for. This process, of interfacingwith different search engines, however, is very time consuming andrequires the user to navigate to the different domains of each searchengine and to explicitly enter new user input for submitting separaterequests to each of the search engines from those differentwebpages/domains.

Most browsers and search engines are configured to filter for and todistinguish between different types of content, such as image content,video content, shopping content, news content, general web content, etc.Accordingly, a user can select a particular content type filter on thebrowser interface to limit their search results to only the desiredtype(s) of content. However, the additional steps required for a user tofilter their search to only a particular type of content, when comparingresults from multiple search engines, can exacerbate the problemsaddressed above. In particular, the user will now need to perform theadditional steps for navigating to and through the different filtermenus/controls for each of the different search engines. This can beparticularly problematic when the different search engines and browserspresent their filter options differently, making it more difficult tonavigate the content in a desired and consistent way. Each additionalprocess and step required to perform this type of navigation will alsoincur additional computational expense and represents some of thetechnical difficulties associated with accessing content on theInternet.

In some instances, a user can navigate to a particular website byentering the URL of the website into the browser. Once the browsernavigates to the domain of that website, it will present contentpublished by the host website, as well as links to secondary contentpublished by the host website and/or secondary websites hosted bydifferent domains. For instance, a host website might include linksassociated with a plurality of different articles published by the host.In these instances, when a user clicks on a link, the browser willaccess the corresponding content, which is often provided from the samehost domain. In other instances, the link may redirect the browser toanother domain that contains the webpage for the linked content. If auser wants to read/access all of the different linked content(particularly when it is hosted by different domains), they will berequired to iteratively navigate back to the host domain website beforethey can access the different links to the different websites hosted bydifferent domains. Even when the websites are all hosted by the samedomain host, the back and forth navigation to the primary webpagerepresents wasted time and computational processing.

In some instances, a webpage may be configured to wrap the secondarylinked content hosted by the secondary domain(s) into the webpage frameof a first domain, without requiring a user to navigate to the secondarydomain(s). This can be accomplished, for example, by having the webpageof the first domain query for the content of the secondary domain(s) sothat it is surfaced by the first domain within the frame of the firstdomain. However, such processing may result in undesired filtering ofcontent and services provided by the second domain. This can alsoprevent the user's profile from being accurately updated to reflectnavigation to the secondary domain(s) and/or while providing unnecessaryattribution to the first domain.

Problems associated with navigating content on the internet can be evenmore pronounced on mobile devices because some of the browser navigationcontrols are restricted, including the presentation of links tosecondary content, adding to the difficulty for making the back andforth navigation between the primary webpage or SERP and the differentlinked sources. This is particularly true when the secondary linksredirect the browser to different domains.

SUMMARY

Disclosed embodiments include systems, methods and devices forgenerating, suppressing and utilizing indexes for navigating content, aswell as for interfaces that are configured with unique features andcontrols facilitating content navigation.

Some embodiments include or utilize a browser that obtains searchresults from one or more search engines. The browser is configured fornavigating content received in the search results from the searchengines. In some instances, the browser generates and sends a searchquery to a search engine and then receives corresponding search resultsthat include a listing of related webpages identified by the searchengine. This listing can include or be identified in a SERP (searchengine result page), for example. Then, prior to and without renderingthe SERP or another listing derived from the SERP, a particular webpageis identified in the search results and a request is initiated for theparticular webpage. The particular webpage is then accessed anddisplayed, automatically (e.g., in response to receiving the listing andwithout detecting user input selecting a link to the particularwebpage). In some instances, the particular webpage is rendered with aone input link to the particular listing of webpages.

Some embodiments are implemented by a browser that suppresses andutilizes a SERP index or a derivative index formed from the SERP. Inthese embodiments, the browser generates and sends a search query to asearch engine and receives search results from the search engine basedon the search query. The search results comprise a SERP. Prior to, andwithout rendering the SERP, a particular webpage is identified from theSERP or an index derived from the SERP. That webpage is also accessedand displayed automatically (e.g., in response to receiving the listingand without detecting user input selecting a link to the particularwebpage). In some embodiments, the browser provides a one input link tothe SERP while concurrently displaying the particular webpage. In someinstances, the display of the particular webpage occurs prior todisplaying the SERP by the browser.

In some embodiments, the SERP is parsed and utilized to generate aderivative/parsed index that comprises a subset of webpage links from alisting of webpage links identified by the SERP and which omits at leastone webpage link identified by the SERP. In these embodiments, theparticular webpage which is accessed and displayed is identified fromthe new derivative/parsed index rather than the SERP. The browserprovides links for directly navigating to and/or for navigating forwardor backward to other webpages identified in the search results based onthe composition and sequence of webpage links identified in thederivative/parsed index rather than the SERP. Accordingly, the browserreferences the new parsed index to determine which next webpage toaccess and display, rather than referencing the SERP, in response tonavigation input received at the browser. The new parsed index issuppressed in memory. In some embodiments, the new parsed index is notdisplayed (remaining suppressed throughout the browsing experience),while the SERP is accessible for display through the browser navigationcontrols. In other embodiments, browser navigation controls are alsoprovided for accessing and displaying the suppressed index.

Many of the foregoing embodiments and others described herein can beused to help facilitate the manner in which a user accesses andnavigates content on the internet. These embodiments can be particularlyhelpful when navigating content provided by disparate search enginesand/or other host domains, as well as when navigating content on amobile device.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subjectmatter.

Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the descriptionwhich follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or maybe learned by the practice of the teachings herein. Features andadvantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of theinstruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims. Features of the present invention will become more fullyapparent from the following description and appended claims, or may belearned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and otheradvantages and features can be obtained, a more particular descriptionof the subject matter briefly described above will be rendered byreference to specific embodiments which are illustrated in the appendeddrawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typicalembodiments and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting inscope, embodiments will be described and explained with additionalspecificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a browser interface on a mobile devicein which a search field and plurality of pivot icons are displayed thatcorrespond to different content types, including a general search pivoticon, a video pivot icon, an image pivot icon, a news pivot icon and ashopping pivot icon;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a browser interface corresponding tothe browser interface of FIG. 1, in which a webpage is displayed inresponse to user input entered in the search field and/or in response toa user selecting a suggested search term;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a browser interface corresponding tothe browser interface of FIG. 1, in which a webpage is displayed inresponse to user input entered in the search field and also in responseto a selection of the general search pivot icon and in which anavigation control panel listing webpage links associated with asuppressed index;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a browser interface similar to thebrowser interface of FIG. 3, in which the navigation control panel hasbeen updated with a link to the SERP and the SERP is displayed inresponse to user navigation to the SERP;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a browser interface similar to thebrowser interface of FIG. 4, in which the navigation control panel andthe displayed webpage have been updated in response to user navigationto a second webpage link identified in the navigation control panel;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a browser interface similar to thebrowser interface of FIG. 5, in which the navigation control panel isupdated to emphasize a webpage link corresponding to the displayedwebpage in the navigation control panel;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a browser interface corresponding tothe browser interface of FIG. 1, in which a webpage is displayed inresponse to user input entered in the search field and also in responseto a selection of the video pivot icon;

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a browser interface corresponding tothe browser interface of FIG. 7, in which the webpage is displayed witha navigation control panel listing webpage links associated with asuppressed index;

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a browser interface similar to thebrowser interface of FIG. 8, in which the navigation control panel andthe displayed webpage have been updated in response to user navigationto a different webpage link identified in the navigation control panel;

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a browser interface corresponding tothe browser interface of FIG. 1, in which a webpage is displayed inresponse to user input entered in the search field and also in responseto a selection of the image pivot icon;

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a browser interface corresponding tothe browser interface of FIG. 10, in which the webpage is displayed witha navigation control panel listing webpage links associated with asuppressed index;

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a browser interface similar to thebrowser interface of FIG. 11, in which the navigation control panel andthe displayed webpage have been updated in response to user navigationto a different webpage link identified in the navigation control panel;

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a browser interface corresponding tothe browser interface of FIG. 1, in which a webpage is displayed inresponse to user input entered in the search field and also in responseto a selection of the news pivot icon;

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a browser interface corresponding tothe browser interface of FIG. 13, in which the webpage is displayed witha navigation control panel listing webpage links associated with asuppressed index;

FIG. 15 illustrates an example of a browser interface similar to thebrowser interface of FIG. 14, in which the navigation control panel andthe displayed webpage have been updated in response to user navigationto a different webpage link identified in the navigation control panel;

FIG. 16 illustrates an example of a browser interface corresponding tothe browser interface of FIG. 1, in which a webpage is displayed inresponse to user input entered in the search field and also in responseto a selection of the shopping pivot icon;

FIG. 17 illustrates an example of a browser interface corresponding tothe browser interface of FIG. 16, in which the webpage is displayed witha navigation control panel listing webpage links associated with asuppressed index;

FIG. 18 illustrates an example of a browser interface similar to thebrowser interface of FIG. 17, in which the navigation control panel andthe displayed webpage have been updated in response to user navigationto a different webpage link identified in the navigation control panel;

FIG. 19 illustrates an example of a browser interface illustratinganother view of the plurality of pivot icons, including a general searchpivot icon, a video pivot icon, an image pivot icon, a news pivot iconand a shopping pivot icon;

FIG. 20 illustrates an example of a browser interface that is displayinga webpage with a browser mode icon that is selectable to cause thebrowser to operate in a different mode;

FIG. 21 illustrates an example of a browser interface corresponding tothe browser interface of FIG. 20, after the browser mode icon has beenselected;

FIG. 22 illustrates an example of a browser interface corresponding tothe browser interface of FIG. 21, in which the webpage is displayed witha navigation control panel listing webpage links associated with asuppressed index;

FIG. 23 illustrates an example of a browser interface similar to thebrowser interface of FIG. 22, in which the navigation control panel andthe displayed webpage have been updated in response to user navigationto a different webpage link identified in the navigation control panel;

FIG. 24 illustrates a flow diagram of different acts that are associatedwith disclosed embodiments for accessing and navigating internet contentwith a browser based on a suppressed index corresponding to the searchresults;

FIG. 25 illustrates a flow diagram of different acts that are associatedwith disclosed embodiments for accessing and navigating internet searchresults with a browser without requiring a user to navigate the internetcontent from the SERP;

FIG. 26 illustrates components of a SERP and a parsed/suppressed indexthat is derived from the SERP or a sitemap file;

FIG. 27 illustrates a flow diagram of different acts that are associatedwith disclosed embodiments for accessing and navigating internet contentwith a browser based on a suppressed index corresponding to the searchresults;

FIG. 28 illustrates a flow diagram of different acts that are associatedwith disclosed embodiments for accessing and navigating internet contentwith a browser and for determining when/whether to display a SERPcorresponding to the search results;

FIG. 29 illustrates a flow diagram of different acts that are associatedwith disclosed embodiments for accessing and navigating internet contentwith a browser that includes a plurality of pivot icons that are eachassociated with different types of content and different sets of searchengines configured to provide search results corresponding to arespective type of content associated with a selected pivot icon, andwherein the browser also includes links for directly navigating (withone step/input navigation) between the different search engine results;

FIG. 30 illustrates another a flow diagram of different acts that areassociated with disclosed embodiments for accessing and navigatinginternet content with a browser that includes a plurality of pivot iconsthat are each associated with different types of content and differentsets of search engines configured to provide search resultscorresponding to a respective type of content associated with a selectedpivot icon, and wherein the browser also includes links for directlynavigating (with one step/input navigation) between the different searchengine results;

FIG. 31 illustrates a flow diagram of different acts that are associatedwith disclosed embodiments for generating a suppressed index that isbased off of a crawler protocol file and a linked sitemap file, as wellas for facilitating navigation of the corresponding linked webpages withthe suppressed index;

FIG. 32 illustrates a flow diagram of different acts that are associatedwith disclosed embodiments for utilizing and modifying a navigationcontrol panel that includes links to a suppressed index and fornavigating the corresponding webpages identified in the suppressedindex; and

FIG. 33 illustrates a computer system that can be used to incorporateand/or to implement aspects of the disclosed embodiments, includingembodiments related to the generation and use of suppressed indexes tofacilitate navigation of content, as well as the embodiments related tothe pivot icons and navigation controls described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed embodiments include systems, methods and devices forgenerating, suppressing and utilizing indexes for obtaining andnavigating content, as well as for interfaces that are configured withunique features and controls for facilitating navigation of the content.

Some of the disclosed embodiments include the generation and suppressionof indexes derived from SERP structures. The derived indexes areactively used to facilitate navigation of content referenced in the SERPstructures, rather than utilizing the SERP structures directly. In someinstances, a SERP is temporarily or selectively hidden from view, whilepresenting and navigating content referenced by the SERP. In someinstances, a user is enabled to navigate to the SERP from anotherwebpage that was linked in the SERP and that was displayed by thebrowser prior to the SERP ever being displayed by the browser.

In some instances, the suppressed indexes are built off of sitemap filesidentified in web crawler protocol files for particular webpages.Selectable icons are provided for modifying a mode of browsing and fordirectly accessing content linked in the particular webpages, withouthaving to select the links from the particular webpages directly.

Some disclosed embodiments also provide unique pivot icons forfacilitating direct navigation links between different sets of searchresults from different search engines and/or host domains, correspondingto search input entered by the user a single time at the browser, andwithout requiring the user to navigate to and enter the same searchinput at the different search engine interfaces to perform similarsearches directly with each of the different search engines.

Some embodiments also provide a navigation control with links towebpages identified in suppressed indexes and which is displayedconcurrently with content corresponding to one or more of the webpages.The navigation control is modified to reflect navigation betweendifferent linked webpages.

The disclosed embodiments are useful, in some instances, to reducetechnical difficulties associated with navigating content with abrowser, particularly content provided by disparate host domains andsearch engines. Some of the improvements include reductions in theamount of steps and processes that must occur to navigate the contentand to filter out content that could be harmful. The disclosedembodiments can also facilitate improvements with navigating content onsmall screen and mobile devices, particularly touch screen devices,which sometimes limit browser control functionality.

In short, this disclosure helps to highlight some of the problems anddeficiencies associated with existing internet navigation technologiesand technical solutions for improving the efficiency and ease forperforming internet navigation with a browser that interfaces with oneor more search engine.

Attention will now be directed to FIGS. 1-23, 26 and 33 which illustratevarious interfaces, systems and structures that are incorporated by orutilized in the claimed embodiments. Then, a description of variousmethods for implementing claimed embodiments will be provided inreference to the flow diagrams illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 27-32.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a browser interface 100 on a mobiledevice 102 in which a search field 103 and plurality of pivot icons aredisplayed that correspond to different content types, including ageneral search pivot icon 122, a video pivot icon 124, an image pivoticon 126, a news pivot icon 128 and a shopping pivot icon 129. Each ofthe different pivot icons correspond to a different type of content thatcan be searched for. In this regard, each of the different pivot iconsrepresent a filter, which, when selected causes a search request to beformulated by the browser to search one or more search engines,designated by the browser, for content associated with thatfilter/content type. By way of example, after the user types the wordcat into the search field, and before hitting submit or enter, the usercan simply select the filter type or pivot icon corresponding to thetype of content they want to see for the search term cat. The selectionof the pivot icon will trigger the formulation of a search request forthat corresponding type of content. Even more particularly, if a userselects the general search pivot icon 122, the browser will formulate asearch request for content associated with cats (without restriction toa focused content type). That search will be sent to one or more searchengines that are configured to provide results corresponding to theselected content type.

Alternatively, if the user were to select the video pivot icon 124, thebrowser would formulate a search for video content corresponding to catsor other terms in the search field 103, which would be sent to one ormore predetermined search engines that are configured to obtain andfilter search results corresponding to the requested content type (e.g.,videos). Likewise, selection of the image pivot icon 126 will cause thebrowser to formulate a search for image content associated with cats orany other terms in the search field 103. Selection of the news pivoticon 128 will cause the browser to search for news content associatedwith cats or other term in the search field 103. Finally, selection ofthe shopping pivot icon 129 will cause the browser to formulate a searchfor content presenting items for sale or other shopping sites associatedwith cats or any other terms in the search field 103.

Once a search is formulated by the browser, it will be sent to apredetermined default search engine. Alternatively, in some embodiments,the search will be sent to multiple different search engines (e.g.,Google, Bing, Yahoo, Giphy, YouTube, Amazon, Ebay, etc.). In thisregard, it will be appreciated that the term search engine correspondsto any computing system or internet domain that is configured to receivea search request from a browser for one or more URLs (corresponding to aspecified address in the request and/or one or more search termsidentified in the request) and to identify and return a listing to thebrowser of one or more relevant URLs for websites containing relevantcontent related to the search request. In some embodiments, the searchresults returned from a search engine are composed in the form of a SERP(Search Engine Results Page), which may comprise a webpage and/orinstructions for rendering the URLs identified in the SERP. The searchresults identified in the SERP or other result listing will typicallyinclude URLs that are presented by the browser as links to thecorresponding websites referenced by the URLs.

In some embodiments, the SERP or other indexed listing that is returnedas the search results will not displayed to the user, as is typicallythe case for existing browsers. Instead, the SERP or other indexed URLlisting is used to derive a new index that is suppressed in memory andthat is used as the basis for navigating the content identified in theSERP. In some instances, the derived index excludes one or morereferences identified in the SERP, such that the derived/suppressedindex comprises a subset of the URLs identified in the SERP (or othersearch result index).

Details associated with the derived index will be provided below,following a more detailed description of the techniques and embodimentsassociated with obtaining and navigating the search results with thepivot icons and other browser controls.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a browser interface 200 correspondingto the browser interface 100 of FIG. 1, in which a webpage 210 isdisplayed in response to user input entered in the search field and/orin response to a user selecting a suggested search term from theinterface 100 of FIG. 1. The webpage 210 can also be accessed by typingthe URL into the URL field 220.

As shown, the webpage 210 includes one or more titles, images and text.The webpage 210 is shown in abstract form, inasmuch as the makeup of thewebpage will vary according to the types of content that are presentedand the formats that are defined by the webpage. In this webpage 210, asin many typical webpages, the content of the webpage will include linksto other webpages. In this instance, the image(s)/text 230 of thewebpage comprise links (such as to explore more details about thecontent). Likewise, there are several articles (article 2, article 3 andarticle 4) that also comprise links to the referenced articles. When anyof these links are selected, the browser will access and display thelinked content. In some instances, the linked content is hosted by thesame domain as the domain hosting the current webpage 210. In otherinstances, the linked content is hosted by a different domain and willcause the browser to leave the current domain and to access the newdomain in order to access the linked content.

In this embodiment, the user typed cat into the search field 103 ofwebpage 103 in FIG. 1. The user also hit enter, submit or another buttonfor triggering the search. This in turn, caused the browser to submit asearch to one or more predetermined search engines for URLs associatedwith content about cats. When the results come back, in the form of aSERP structure or another index of URLs, the browser creates a derivedindex of the URLs and suppresses the derived index. The browser alsoautomatically accesses the first listed URL in the derived index,without and prior to displaying the SERP. In this instance, the firstlisted URL in the derived index links to the webpage 210 shown in FIG.2. In some instances, this may also be the first listed webpage in theSERP. In other instances, the first listed webpage in the SERP isexcluded from the suppressed index and is not accessed/displayed.

In some instances, the browser provides controls for helping the useridentify and navigate the content. For instance, the user is presented acontent type icon 250 that identifies the scope/filter used to performthe search. In this instance, the type/filter identifies that ‘allresults’ are included, meaning that the content is not focused on a typethat is more exclusive (e.g., video, image, shopping, news, etc.).

The user is also provided navigation controls that provide a singleinput link to other webpage results and/or the SERP. In this embodiment,a forward control 260 and a backward control 262 are provided foraccessing a next or previous webpage identified in the suppressed index.If there is no previous webpage identified in the suppressed index whenthe backward control 262 is selected, the browser will display the SERP(which effectively acts as the first webpage in such instances). TheSERP may actually be linked and listed, in some instances, as the firstentry in the suppressed index that is referenced by the browser when thebrowser receives a forward or backward navigation command.

The forward and backward navigation commands can also be triggered bythe user entering a swipe gesture at any point on the touch screendisplay 264. For example, the user might touch the screen 264 at point290 while swiping left (illustrated by arrow 292) or swiping right(illustrated by arrow 294). A swipe gesture of this type will register aforward or backward command with the browser, similar to how selectionof links 262 and 264 will trigger navigation through referenced URLs(and the SERP) from the suppressed index.

A control 270 is also provided, when selected, to trigger an interfacefor sending the webpage 210. For instance, when a user selects control270, the user is prompted to identify another entity address or namewhere the displayed webpage or corresponding URL will be sent. Thebrowser then interfaces with the social media platform associated withthat entity address (e.g., Outlook, messenger, etc.) to send a messagethat includes the webpage and/or URL.

Control 274, when selected, triggers the browser to generate a newbrowser instance. In some embodiments, the new instance is a new browsertab within a same browser window that was displaying the webpage whenthe control 274 was selected. In other instances, the new browserinstance is a new browser window, which contains the one or more tabs.

A pivot access icon/control 280 is also provided which, when selected,causes the browser to display the different pivot icons describe inreference to FIG. 1 (e.g., pivot icons 122, 124, 126, 128 and 129). Thepresentation of the pivot icons can occur with the display of thewebpage (in some instances) and/or in an independent interface display(see FIG. 19).

In some instances, the coloring of the pivot access control 280 ismodified to correspond with a coloring of the content type icon 250 thatis currently selected/active for the corresponding search results thatare being displayed. In this regard, different pivot icons will havedifferent coloring to create an association between the content type andthe color of the pivot icons. Different coloring/shading schemes can beused to accommodate different needs and preferences. However, in someembodiments, the general search pivot icon is colored blue, the videopivot icon is colored red, the images pivot icon is colored yellow, thenews pivot icon is colored purple and the shopping pivot icon is coloredgreen.

In some embodiments, the configuration of the pivot icons within thedisplay can also be modified in such a way as to list the most commonlyselected/used pivot icons before less frequently selected/used pivoticons. The size of the pivot icons can also vary, to represent (withlarger sizes) the pivot icons that are utilized more frequently. Thesystem will, in some instances, track the use of the different pivoticons and store this information for reference when considering how topresent the different pivot icons when an input is received fortriggering a display of the pivot icons.

Other types of user input can also be used for triggering a display ofthe pivot icons. For instance, in some embodiments, the content typeicon 250 is selectable to trigger a display of the pivot icons.Detection of input being typed into the URL field 220 or a search field(if present) can also trigger the display of the pivot icons.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 3, which illustrates an example of abrowser interface 300 showing a webpage 310 that is similar to thewebpage 210 of FIG. 2. However, in this embodiment, the interface 300 isconfigured with a navigation control panel 305 that lists a plurality ofwebpage links to webpages that are identified by the suppressed indexassociated with the SERP. Notably, the links are sorted into asequence/order that is defined by the suppressed index and which may bedifferent than the sequence/order of URL links identified in the SERP,and which may omit one or more URL links that were included in the SERPlisting, as described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 26.

When a link in the navigation control panel is selected, the browserwill access and display the webpage associated with the selected link.In some instances, this requires the browser to access and displaycontent from a different domain.

In some instances, the positioning of the links in the navigationcontrol panel 305 conveys information to the user regarding the webpagethat is being displayed. For instance, the left justified position ofthe Index Link 1 306 indicates that the webpage 310 corresponds to thatlink. When a new link is selected, that new link will be repositioned inthe left justified position. In other embodiments, a central or rightjustification is used instead, to reflect the selected link anddisplayed webpage. Other modifications to the navigation control panel305 can also be used to reflect the current/relevant link. For instance,highlighting and font changes can be used to emphasize thecurrent/selected link. Other links can also be de-emphasized to, byreference, emphasize the selected/current link.

To accommodate the positioning of the navigation control panel 305, thewebpage 310 may be formatted or reformatted in such a way as toaccommodate the lost space given to the navigation control panel 305.Accordingly, the website 310 may collapse one or more webpage elementsinto a menu 307. Alternatively, other browser interface elements can becollapsed into a menu 307 that is displayed with the webpage.

A user can navigate to the different linked content (identified by thenavigation control panel 305) by directly selecting links from thenavigation control panel 305. Other single input navigation techniquescan also be used, such as a selection of control 360 or 362, or thesubmission of a swipe gesture entered at the touch screen of the device.A user can enter a swipe gesture at point 390 (or another point) bymoving their finger left (as illustrated by arrow 392) or right (asillustrated by arrow 394).

When the user navigates right (with a gesture or control selection),they will be directed to the next listed webpage link in the navigationcontrol panel 305, based on referencing the suppressed index to identifythe next listed webpage link, (in this case to index link 2,corresponding to the webpage shown in FIG. 5). Alternatively, when theuser navigates left, they will be directed to the previously listedwebpage link in the navigation control panel 305, based on referencingthe sequence defined in the suppressed index. Currently, however, thereis no previously listed webpage link, in as much as index link 1 (306)is the first listed webpage link in the navigation control panel. Inthis instance, the browser will display the SERP (which may be the firstlisted webpage link in the suppressed index or not).

Navigation input will, in some instances, cause the browser to initiatea query for the corresponding webpage to be displayed, based on thesequencing order in the suppressed index and based on stored index data.For instance, the index may store the URL of the different listedwebpages, such that in response to detecting navigation input (e.g., arequest for a next or previous page), the browser will identify the URLof the next or previous page from the suppressed index and will,responsively, send a request to the appropriate host/domain for thewebpage. In some instances, the request is sent to an intermediaryserver/service that has cached or that will access the webpage and sendthe webpage to the browser for display on-demand.

In other embodiments, the system pre-fetches and caches a predeterminednumber of webpages referenced in the suppressed index before and/orafter the webpage that is being displayed, even before receivingnavigation input from the user and/or at the browser. Then, when arequest is made for the next/previous webpage, the browser simplyaccessed the cached webpage from the system memory/cache.

FIG. 4 illustrates a SERP webpage that might be accessed and displayedin response to a left navigation input when a first listed webpage inthe suppressed index (other than the SERP) is currently being displayed.For instance, the browser will replace the display of the webpage 310(FIG. 3) with a display of the SERP when a gesture corresponding toarrow 392 is received and/or when control 362 is selected. One or morededicated control icons (not presently shown) can also be displayed fordirectly linking to the SERP.

As shown in FIG. 4, the displayed webpage 410 is a general SERP webpage.The navigation control panel 405 has also been updated to reflect thatthe ‘All Results’ link that is associated with the displayed webpage 410is being displayed. In this embodiment, the displayed webpage 410 is astandard SERP webpage that might typically be returned from a searchengine, with links 499 to one or more webpages. Notably, this webpage410 was not displayed until after one of the linked webpages (e.g.,Index Link 1) identified in the SERP was previously displayed.

The webpage 410 also includes a query bar provided by the search enginehost. When a user types input into the query bar, the browser interceptsthis input and triggers a display of the pivot icons described abovewith reference to FIG. 1, for helping to modify the search request beingsent to the search engine(s).

Attention will now be directed to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 illustrates an exampleof a browser interface 500 similar to the browser interface 400 of FIG.4, in which the navigation control panel 505 and the displayed webpage510 have been updated in response to user navigation to a second webpagelink identified in the navigation control panel 505, namely Index Link 2506. Navigation to this linked webpage could occur from selecting thelink 560 directly from the navigation control panel 505 or by selectingcontrol 460, for example.

As shown, the link 506 to the displayed webpage 510 is mostly leftjustified in the navigation control panel 505, to emphasize that this isthe link corresponding to the displayed webpage 510. However, asdescribed earlier, the link 506 can also be emphasized in differentways, such as shown in FIG. 6, by centering and/or by changing ashading, coloring, font, size, or highlighting of the link 606. In thepresent embodiment, the navigation control panel 505 also shows aportion of another link 507 to the left of the index link 2 (506),indicating that there is a link to be navigated to, if desired. In otherembodiments, the links to the left of a selected link are not visible(including the SERP link, for example).

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a browser interface 700 correspondingto the browser interface 100 of FIG. 1, in which a webpage 710 isdisplayed in response to user input entered in the search field 110 andalso in response to a selection of the video pivot icon 124 of FIG. 1.

Accordingly, the browser performed a search with one or more searchengine(s) for video content. When the content type is a specialized orfocused type (such as video, image, shopping, etc.) the browser willobtain multiple different search results from different search enginesspecializing in providing content of that type. For instance, thebrowser, in response to a request for video content will perform asearch with Bing, Google, Yahoo, Youtube, and other video domains toidentify URLs matching the terms submitted with the search. The searchengine domains for each particular content type are predefined by thebrowser settings and can be modified in response to user input.

The search results from each of the search engines can include a SERP orother URL index. In these instances, the browser creates a correspondingsuppressed/parsed index that is used for navigating the content. Thissuppressed index is also used to identify the links that are presentedin the navigation control panel, as described earlier. However, ratherthan only listing particular webpages identified in a single SERP/index,this type of filtered search to multiple search engines will result inthe browser obtaining search results (SERPs) from multiple searchengines. When multiple different search engine results are received, thesuppressed index will be built with multiple different entries in thesuppressed index for the different SERP webpages (corresponding to thedifferent search engines), such as with a link to the Google video SERP,a link to a YouTube SERP, a link to a Bing video SERP, and links toother specialized search engine SERPs or general/filtered search engineSERPs etc.

The navigation control panel (if displayed) will then show links forthese different webpages (some of which may be SERPS or other searchengine index pages). When one of those links is selected, or othernavigation input is received, the browser will reference the suppressedindex to identify, access and display the linked content, which in someinstances includes a SERP or other search engine index filtered for theparticular type of content that was searched.

In the present embodiment, since the video pivot icon was selected forfiltering search results to video content, the content type icon 750 hasbeen updated to reflect the coloring/type associated with the selectedpivot icon. The pivot access icon 780 has also been updated accordingly,with the same coloring and/or icon objects/labels.

The webpage 710 that is shown is currently a webpage SERP for videocontent, including multiple links 799 to video content available from aparticular host search engine.

A user can navigate to other webpages referenced in the suppressedindex, such as other search engine SERPs for video content, by providinga gesture (as previously discussed) or by selecting one of thenavigation controls 760, 762.

FIG. 8 illustrates a similar browser interface to the interface of FIG.7. However, in this embodiment, navigation control panel 805 isdisplayed and the webpage 810 has been updated to accommodate the spacerequirements needed for the navigation control panel 805. For instance,one of the links 799 has been dropped from the listing of links 899.However, a user can scroll down to view the omitted link as well asother related links. As shown, the video host 1 link 806 is also leftjustified to reflect the webpage 810 that is being displayed. The usercan then navigate to the results from another search engine (for similarvideo links) by selecting the link for that search engine from thenavigation control panel 805 and/or by entering a swipe gesture orselection of control 860 or 862.

FIG. 9 illustrates another example of a browser interface similar to thebrowser interface of FIG. 8, in which the navigation control panel 905and the displayed webpage 910 have been updated in response to usernavigation to a different webpage link identified in the navigationcontrol panel, namely, video host N (wherein video host N could be videohost 2, 3, 4, etc.) or any other webpage identified in the suppressedindex and which the user has navigated to, utilizing any of thenavigation techniques and/or controls described herein.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a browser interface 1000 correspondingto the browser interface 100 of FIG. 1, in which a webpage 1010 isdisplayed in response to user input entered in the search field 110 andalso in response to a selection of the image pivot icon 126 of FIG. 1.

Accordingly, the browser performed a search with one or more searchengine(s) for image content. As discussed above, with regard to thevideo content search, the browser obtains multiple different searchresults from different search engines specializing in providing contentof the content type corresponding to the selected pivot icon. Forinstance, the browser, in response to a request for image content willperform a search with Bing, Google, Yahoo, Giphy, and other imagedomains to identify URLs matching the terms submitted with the search.The search engine domains for each particular content type arepredefined by the browser settings and can be modified in response touser input.

The search results from each of the search engines can include a SERP orother URL index of URLs having image content matching the search. Thebrowser also creates a corresponding suppressed/parsed index that isused for navigating the content identified by/derived from the SERP/URLindexes. This suppressed index is also used to identify the links thatare presented in the navigation control panel, as described earlier.However, rather than only listing particular webpages identified in asingle SERP/index, this type of filtered search to multiple searchengines will result in the browser obtaining search results (SERPs) frommultiple search engines. When multiple different search engine resultsare received, the suppressed index will be built with multiple differententries in the suppressed index for the different SERP webpages(corresponding to the different search engines), such as with a link tothe Google image SERP, a link to a Giphy SERP, a link to a Bing imageSERP, and links to other specialized image search engine SERPs orgeneral/filtered search engine SERPs etc.

The navigation control panel (if displayed) will also show links forthese different webpages (some of which may be SERPS or other searchengine index pages). When one of those links is selected, or othernavigation input is received, the browser will reference the suppressedindex to identify, access and display the linked content, which in someinstances includes a SERP or other search engine index filtered for theparticular type of content that was searched.

In the present embodiment, since the image pivot icon was selected forfiltering search results to image content, the content type icon 1050has been updated to reflect the coloring/type associated with theselected pivot icon. The pivot access icon 1080 has also been updatedaccordingly, with the same coloring and/or icon objects/labels.

The webpage 1010 that is shown is currently a webpage SERP for imagecontent (e.g., Google images), including multiple links 1099 to imagecontent available from a particular host search engine (i.e., Image Host1).

A user can navigate to other webpages referenced in the suppressedindex, such as other search engine SERPs for image content, by providinga gesture (as previously discussed) or by selecting one of thenavigation controls 1060 or 1062.

FIG. 11 illustrates a similar browser interface to the interface of FIG.10. However, in this embodiment, navigation control panel 1105 isdisplayed and the webpage 1110 has been updated (reformatting contentpresentations) to accommodate the space requirements needed for thenavigation control panel 1105. As shown, the image host 1 link 1106 isalso left justified to reflect the webpage 1110 that is being displayed.The user can then navigate to the results from another search engine(for similar image links) by selecting the link for that search enginefrom the navigation control panel 1105 and/or by entering a swipegesture or selection of control 1160 or 1162.

FIG. 12 illustrates another example of a browser interface similar tothe browser interface of FIG. 11, in which the navigation control panel1205 and the displayed webpage 1210 have been updated in response touser navigation to a different webpage link identified in the navigationcontrol panel, namely, image host N 1206 (wherein image host N could beimage host 2, 3, 4, etc.) or any other webpage identified in thesuppressed index and which the user has navigated to, utilizing any ofthe navigation techniques and/or controls described herein.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a browser interface 1300 correspondingto the browser interface 100 of FIG. 1, in which a webpage 1310 isdisplayed in response to user input entered in the search field 110 andalso in response to a selection of the news pivot icon 128 of FIG. 1.

Accordingly, the browser performed a search with one or more searchengine(s) for image content. As discussed above, with regard to the newscontent search, the browser obtains multiple different search resultsfrom different search engines specializing in providing content of thecontent type corresponding to the selected pivot icon. For instance, thebrowser, in response to a request for news content will perform a searchwith Bing, Google, Yahoo, AP, CNN, and other news domains to identifyURLs matching the terms submitted with the search. The search enginedomains for each particular content type are predefined by the browsersettings and can be modified in response to user input.

The search results from each of the search engines can include a SERP orother URL index of URLs having news content matching the search. Thebrowser also creates a corresponding suppressed/parsed index that isused for navigating the content identified by/derived from the SERP/URLindexes. This suppressed index is also used to identify the links thatare presented in the navigation control panel, as described earlier.However, rather than only listing particular webpages identified in asingle SERP/index, this type of filtered search to multiple searchengines will result in the browser obtaining search results (SERPs) frommultiple search engines. When multiple different search engine resultsare received, the suppressed index will be built with multiple differententries in the suppressed index for the different SERP webpages(corresponding to the different search engines), such as with a link tothe Google news SERP, a link to a Yahoo news SERP, a link to a Bing newsSERP, and links to other specialized news search engine SERPs (e.g.,CNN) or general/filtered search engine SERPs etc.

The navigation control panel (if displayed) will also show links forthese different webpages (some of which may be SERPS or other searchengine index pages). When one of those links is selected, or othernavigation input is received, the browser will reference the suppressedindex to identify, access and display the linked content, which in someinstances includes a SERP or other search engine index filtered for theparticular type of content that was searched.

In the present embodiment, since the news pivot icon was selected forfiltering search results to news content, the content type icon 1305 hasbeen updated to reflect the coloring/type associated with the selectedpivot icon. The pivot access icon 1380 has also been updatedaccordingly, with the same coloring and/or icon objects/labels.

The webpage 1310 that is shown is currently a webpage SERP for newscontent (e.g., Yahoo News), including multiple links 1399 to newscontent available from a particular host search engine (i.e., News Host1).

A user can navigate to another webpages referenced in the suppressedindex, such as other search engine SERPs for news content, by providinga gesture (as previously discussed) or by selecting one of thenavigation controls 1360 or 1362.

FIG. 14 illustrates a similar browser interface to the interface of FIG.13. However, in this embodiment, navigation control panel 1405 isdisplayed and the webpage 1410 has been updated (reformatting contentpresentations) to accommodate the space requirements needed for thenavigation control panel 1405. As shown, the news host 1 link 1406 isalso left justified to reflect the webpage 1410 that is being displayed.The user can then navigate to the results from another search engine(for similar news links) by selecting the link for that search enginefrom the navigation control panel 1405 and/or by entering a swipegesture or selection of control 1460 or 1462.

FIG. 15 illustrates another example of a browser interface similar tothe browser interface of FIG. 14, in which the navigation control panel1505 and the displayed webpage 1510 have been updated in response touser navigation to a different webpage link identified in the navigationcontrol panel, namely, news host N 1506 (wherein news host N could benews host 2, 3, 4, etc.) or any other webpage identified in thesuppressed index and which the user has navigated to, utilizing any ofthe navigation techniques and/or controls described herein.

FIG. 16 illustrates an example of a browser interface 1600 correspondingto the browser interface 100 of FIG. 1, in which a webpage 1610 isdisplayed in response to user input entered in the search field 110 andalso in response to a selection of the shopping pivot icon 129 of FIG.1.

Accordingly, the browser performed a search with one or more searchengine(s) for shopping content. As discussed above, with regard to thenews content search, the browser obtains multiple different searchresults from different search engines specializing in providing contentof the content type corresponding to the selected pivot icon. Forinstance, the browser, in response to a request for shopping contentwill perform a search with Bing, Google, Yahoo, Amazon, Ebay, and othershopping domains to identify URLs matching the terms submitted with thesearch. The search engine domains for each particular content type arepredefined by the browser settings and can be modified in response touser input.

The search results from each of the search engines can include a SERP orother URL index of URLs having shopping content (e.g., items for sale)matching the search. The browser also creates a correspondingsuppressed/parsed index that is used for navigating the contentidentified by/derived from the SERP/URL indexes. This suppressed indexis also used to identify the links that are presented in the navigationcontrol panel, as described earlier. However, rather than only listingparticular webpages identified in a single SERP/index, this type offiltered search to multiple search engines will result in the browserobtaining search results (SERPs) from multiple search engines. Whenmultiple different search engine results are received, the suppressedindex will be built with multiple different entries in the suppressedindex for the different SERP webpages (corresponding to the differentsearch engines), such as with a link to the Google shopping SERP, a linkto a Yahoo shopping SERP, a link to a Bing shopping SERP, and links toother specialized shopping search engine SERPs (e.g., Amazon, Ebay,etc.) or general/filtered search engine SERPs etc.

The navigation control panel (if displayed) will also show links forthese different webpages (some of which may be SERPS or other searchengine index pages). When one of those links is selected, or othernavigation input is received, the browser will reference the suppressedindex to identify, access and display the linked content, which in someinstances includes a SERP or other search engine index filtered for theparticular type of content that was searched.

In the present embodiment, since the news pivot icon was selected forfiltering search results to news content, the content type icon 1650 hasbeen updated to reflect the coloring/type associated with the selectedpivot icon. The pivot access icon 1680 has also been updatedaccordingly, with the same coloring and/or icon objects/labels.

The webpage 1610 that is shown is currently a webpage SERP for shoppingcontent (e.g., Amazon), including multiple links 1699 to shoppingcontent available from a particular host search engine (i.e., ShoppingHost 1).

A user can navigate to other webpages referenced in the suppressedindex, such as other search engine SERPs for shopping content, byproviding a gesture (as previously discussed) or by selecting one of thenavigation controls 1660 or 1662.

FIG. 17 illustrates a similar browser interface to the interface of FIG.16. However, in this embodiment, navigation control panel 1705 isdisplayed and the webpage 1710 has been updated (reformatting contentpresentations) to accommodate the space requirements needed for thenavigation control panel 1705. As shown, the shopping host 1 link 1706is also left justified to reflect the webpage 1710 that is beingdisplayed. The user can then navigate to the results from another searchengine (for similar shopping links) by selecting the link for thatsearch engine from the navigation control panel 1705 and/or by enteringa swipe gesture or selection of control 1760 or 1762.

FIG. 18 illustrates another example of a browser interface similar tothe browser interface of FIG. 17, in which the navigation control panel1805 and the displayed webpage have been updated in response to usernavigation to a different webpage link identified in the navigationcontrol panel, namely, shopping host N 1806 (wherein shopping host Ncould be shopping host 2, 3, 4, etc.) or any other webpage identified inthe suppressed index and which the user has navigated to, utilizing anyof the navigation techniques and/or controls described herein.

FIG. 19 illustrates an example of a browser interface 1900 that includesa presentation of the plurality of pivot icons 1922, 1924, 1926, 1928and 1929, which correspond to the pivot icons discussed in FIGS. 1-18.These pivot icons include a general search pivot icon 1922, a videopivot icon 1924, an image pivot icon 1926, a news pivot icon 1928, and ashopping pivot icon 1929. The pivot icons may also include one or moreadditional and similar pivot icons (represented by icon 1901) for othercontent types, such as sports content, financial content, socialcontent, etc.

The presentation of the pivot icons in browser interface 1900 may betriggered by a user selecting one of the pivot access icons (e.g., 280,380 . . . 1880, etc.). The presentation order and format of the pivoticons can be controlled by the access history of the user with thebrowser, which is stored and referenced when presenting the pivot icons.Selection of a pivot access icon may also cause the browser to,alternatively, display the pivot icon array that was shown and describedin the other images, along with a display of other content (e.g., awebpage).

A user can sequentially select different pivot icons (e.g., by selectingthe pivot access icon) between the examination of different searchresults corresponding to the different federated/filtered searches. Forexample, the user can first examine image content for a particularsearch query and then access/select the video pivot icon to view videocontent corresponding to the same search query/terms, without having toresubmit the same search query/terms. Even more particularly, the usercan navigate between different types of content for a same search term(e.g., cat), without having to retype the term cat for each content typesearch. Instead, the user can navigate between the different types ofsearch content types by accessing and selecting the different pivoticons. Each time a different pivot icon is selected, the browser willformulate and send an appropriate search to the correspondingly relevantsearch engines or other sources, as described above. Alternatively, thesystem may preform and send searches for different content types, evenbefore the user selects a different pivot icon, such as based ondetermining a user preference or setting for causing the browser toperform such a search on different content types.

In some embodiments, the pivot icons may also include (rather than justfederated filters to different content types) one or more links tospecialized websites (e.g., Amazon, Ebay, etc.). This may be beneficial,for example, when a user preference is to shop with a particular entity(e.g., Amazon). In this instance, the shopping pivot icon can bereplaced by an icon to Amazon or may link directly to Amazon. In someinstances, the pivot icon is changed to reflect branding/labelingassociated with the particular website in some instances. In otherinstances, the pivot icon does not change from a default and universalpresentation format, even when it links to a particular website.

For instances when the pivot icons are supplemented by or replaced byone or more specific webpages, then the methods of the invention willinclude providing index generation and suppression for the particularwebsites when the corresponding pivot icon for that website is selectedfrom the pivot icon menu control. For instance, if the shopping icon wasreplaced by an icon linking to Amazon, rather than linking to afederated search for a plurality of search sources, then a search wouldbe generated by the browser for the website (e.g., Amazon). Then, theresults (e.g., Amazon SERP) would be used to generate asuppressed/derivative index of links/citations from the Amazon resultpage. The Amazon result page would then be hidden from view,automatically, while the first result from the suppressed index would bedisplayed, similar to the functionality described in FIGS. 3-6, enablingnavigation to the different links associated with the results and alsoenabling navigation to the hidden Amazon SERP.

FIG. 20 illustrates an example of a browser interface 2000 that isdisplaying a webpage 2010 with a browser mode icon 2050 that isselectable to cause the browser to operate in a different mode, as willbe described in more detail below. The current webpage 2010 includesvarious content, including titles, images and links, as provided by thewebpage host. The user can navigate to the webpage by accessing a linkfrom one of the previous interfaces or by typing a URL of the webpageinto the URL field 2020.

Then, if the user wants to access any of the linked content, the userwill have to click on one of the links. Thereafter, if the user wants toaccess another link, the user will have to navigate back to the webpage2010 to access another link.

In some embodiments, however, the user can automatically navigatethrough the different linked content without having to return to thewebpage identifying the content. This is accomplished by the browsercreating and/or referencing a derivative index for the webpage and thenenabling the user to navigate through the different links of the pagedirectly from the derived index. The links that are indexed can bereflected in a navigation control panel, similar to the navigationcontrol panels discussed above.

A user can trigger the navigation of the derived index by selecting thebrowser mode icon 2050 or the browser mode indicator 2080 or byselecting another interface object (not shown), or by performing aparticular type of gesture on the display screen associated with thedifferent browser mode (e.g., drawing a letter ‘C’ on the displayscreen).

FIG. 21 illustrates an example of a browser interface 2100 correspondingto the browser interface 2000 of FIG. 20, after the browser mode icon2050 has been selected. Browser mode icon 2150 and browser mode indictor2180 have a different color, highlighting, size, or other format fromthe format used in the browser mode icon 2050 and browser mode indicator2080 shown in FIG. 20, to reflect that the new browser mode is beingused, wherein the new browser mode is based on the derived indexreferenced above.

In the new browser mode, the browser automatically accesses and displaysa first listed webpage from the derived/suppressed index. In this case,the first listed webpage is webpage 2110 with specific content 2199 ofthat webpage 2110.

FIG. 22 illustrates an example of a browser interface 2200 correspondingto the browser interface 2100 of FIG. 21, in which the webpage 2210 isdisplayed with a navigation control panel 2205 listing webpage linksassociated with a suppressed index and which includes a link 2206 to thedisplayed webpage and which is highlighted/emphasized to reflect thelink 2206 that is associated with the displayed webpage 2210.

FIG. 23 illustrates an example of a browser interface 2300 similar tothe browser interface 2200 of FIG. 22, in which the navigation controlpanel 2305 and the displayed webpage 2310 have been updated in responseto user navigation to a different webpage link identified in thenavigation control panel 2305, corresponding to a next webpage in thesuppressed/derived index, utilizing any of the navigationtechniques/controls described previously.

FIG. 24 illustrates a flow diagram 2400 of different acts that areassociated with disclosed embodiments for accessing and navigatinginternet content with a browser based on a suppressed indexcorresponding to the search results. As shown, the disclosed embodimentsinclude acts of generating and sending one or more search query to oneor more search engine(s) (2410), such as based on user input enteredinto a browser search field. The browser also receives search resultsfrom the search engine(s) based on the search query, the search resultsincluding a particular listing of webpages identified by the searchengine (2420). In some instances, the search results comprise a SERP ofone or more search engine(s) and/or a listing of a specialized website(e.g., Amazon, Ebay, Youtube, etc.). The one or more search result indexcan include, for example, the SERP shown in FIG. 26.

The disclosed methods also include, prior to and (sometimes) withoutrendering the particular listing(s), identifying a particular webpageidentified in the search results (act 2430). The particular webpage canbe identified, for example, by referencing a derivative index that isbuilt from the search engine results and that is suppressed in memory.This derivative index can include, for example, the parsed andsuppressed index of FIG. 26.

Next, the system initiates a request for the particular webpage, stillprior to rendering the particular listing that was returned from thesearch results (e.g., the SERP) (act 2440), and without rendering thederived index. The particular webpage is also accessed and displayedautomatically (without a specific user request for the webpage initiatedfrom interfacing with the SERP/search result index) (act 2450). Links toone or more other webpages, sometimes even webpages that are hosted bydifferent domains, are presented (such as in the navigation controlpanel discussed above). In some instances, the webpage is displayed andthe link(s) to other webpages are displayed while the browser alsoprovides a one input link to the particular search result index/listingof webpages (e.g., the SERP).

In some embodiments, the search query is based on user input entered atbrowser of the search engine hosted by a first domain (e.g., searchengine domain) and the particular webpage is rendered independently fromthe first domain and by a second domain (e.g., a domain other than thesearch engine domain).

In some instances, the one input link to the particular search resultindex/listing comprises an undisplayed swipe gesture link. In otherembodiments, the one input link comprises a displayed object/icon that,when selected, causes the browser to display the SERP or other index.Such an icon can be a navigation control panel icon and/or a navigationarrow icon.

FIG. 25 illustrates a flow diagram 2500 of different acts that areassociated with disclosed embodiments for accessing and navigatinginternet search results with a browser without requiring a user tonavigate the internet content from the SERP. As shown, the embodimentsinclude a browser suppressing and utilizing a SERP (search engineresults page) to facilitate the navigation of content. For instance,some disclosed embodiments include the browser generating and sending asearch query to a search engine (act 2510), as well as receiving searchresults from the search engine based on the search query, wherein thesearch results include at least one SERP (search engine result page)(act 2520). Sometimes, the results also include multiple SERPs frommultiple search engines hosted by different domains.

Then, the system/browser parses the SERP(s) prior to and withoutrendering the SERP(s), to generate a new parsed index of one or morewebpage links (e.g., URLs) (act 2530). An example of a SERP and thecorresponding parsed index is shown in FIG. 26.

This parsed index is suppressed in memory, without being displayed. But,it is referenced by the browser to control access to a next website inresponse to navigation input detected by the browser. It will be notedthat the list of websites in the suppressed index is loaded into memoryon the computer system outside of the document object model (DOM) usedby the web browser to generate the displayed web page. Accordingly,operations that use the suppressed list including parsing and navigationtake place outside of the DOM on a different layer in memory. As such,users may be prevented from accessing the suppressed indexes using a webscripting language.

Furthermore, as illustrated, at least one link in the SERP (i.e., link2) is omitted from the parsed/suppressed index. One or more links willbe omitted, in some instances, in response to determining that the linksare associated with undesired content or black listed domains/websites.As previously noted, navigating forward or backward between differentwebpages associated with the displayed webpage links in the browserinterfaces, response to user input entered at the browser interfaces,will be based on a sequence of the listing of webpage links defined bythe new parsed index, rather than a different sequence of the listing ofwebpage links defined by the SERP. This is important, particularly whenthe parsed index omits links, or when the parsed index reorders linksbased on predetermined criteria (e.g., alphabetical, how recent thedocuments have been indexed, user profile preferences, previous accesslogs, etc.). While navigating the listed webpages, the browser continuesto refrain from displaying the new parsed index. It simply referencesthe parsed index to identify a next or previous webpage.

In some instances, parsers filter the list of the links from the searchresults (e.g., SERP) to omit or one or more of the search results frombeing loaded into memory as part of the suppressed index and/or frombeing displayed. In some instances, the filtering is used to filter/omitparticular types of content from being loaded/displayed, such aspornographic or offensive content. The filtering may be done upfront, ormay be based on blacklisted URLs, on content descriptions, and/ordynamically upon or during the loading of the content into memory. Forinstance, the content may be examined during and after the loading ofcontent into memory, based on further examination of content terms,image profiles, metadata, etc. Content that is determined to beoffensive will trigger the removing the corresponding search result fromthe suppressed list. In some instances, the search result remains in thesuppressed list, but it is simply skipped during navigation. This mayinclude preventing the undesired website links from being displayed inthe navigation control panel. This type of filtering can be beneficialbecause it prevents a user from accidentally stumbling across contentthat they may not have desired to navigate to. This can also improvefunctioning of the computer by filtering/omitting results that areassociated with malware, by preventing a user from unwittinglynavigating to a website having associated malware that is detectedduring the parsing.

Once the suppressed index is built, the browser identifies a particularwebpage identified in the search results, such as, for example, from thederived/suppressed index. Typically, system identifies the first listedlink. In other instances, when the suppressed index is configured toinclude the SERP as a first identified link, the browser mayautomatically identify and load the first link after the SERP. In someinstances, the browser identifies and precaches a predetermined numberof webpages, such as corresponding to each link displayed in thenavigation control panel, or another quantity (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5 oranother quantity. The SERP may also be preloaded and cached, but hiddenfrom view, until the user navigates to the SERP, as described above.

In some instances, when the search results include multiple SERPs basedon searches to multiple search engines corresponding to a filtered pivotsearch. In such instances, the derived and suppressed index may identifyand list a plurality of websites comprising the SERPs and then thebrowser, in such instances, may automatically render the first SERP asthe identified webpage, as generally described above.

In instances where the index is derived from a single SERP, theidentified webpage (act 2540) is accessed and displayed (act 2550) whilealso providing a one input link to the SERP, which is initially hiddenfrom view. (act 2560). Links to other webpages are also provided (act2570).

FIG. 27 illustrates another flow diagram 2700 of different acts that areassociated with disclosed embodiments for accessing and navigatinginternet content with a browser based on a suppressed indexcorresponding to the search results. In this embodiment, the illustratedacts include a browser generating and sending a search query to a searchengine (act 2710). Search results are also received from the searchengine based on the search query, the search results comprising a SERP(search engine result page) (act 2720). Thereafter, the system/browserparses the SERP and generates a new parsed index of webpage links thatcomprises a subset of webpage links from a listing of webpage linksidentified by the SERP which omits at least one webpage link identifiedby the SERP (act 2730). The system then accesses and displays aparticular webpage identified in the search results with links fornavigating forward or backward to other webpages identified in thesearch results. Then, upon receiving user input for activating the linksfor navigating forward or backward to the other webpages identified inthe search results (act 2740) the system references the new parsed indexof webpage links to determine which next webpage to display, rather thanreferencing the SERP (act 2750). This includes the system accessing anddisplaying the next webpage based on the new parsed index and withoutdisplaying the new parsed index.

In some instances, however, a link to the SERP is created and presentedwith the web browser, such as a one input link previously described,which may be rendered in the navigation control panel, with other objectand or that is accessible through an unseen gesture. Then, in responseto input selecting the link, the SERP will be displayed.

In some instances, the SERP is modified to reflect, with highlighting,coloring, or other techniques, that a link to a previously displayedwebpage (linked and displayed through navigation with the suppressedindex) was already accessed, even though it was not accessed from theSERP.

Once a user navigates to a next webpage, identified in the suppressedindex, the browser will present a link to the particular webpage theuser navigated away from (e.g., in the navigation control panel) whilesimultaneously displaying the next webpage and link to the SERP.

Disclosed embodiments also include generating and displaying a pivotlink which, when selected, causes a display of a plurality of pivoticons, wherein each pivot icon is selectable and corresponds to adifferent content type, and wherein selection of any pivot icon of theplurality of pivot icons will cause the browser interface to identifyone or more search engines that are capable of filtering for andproviding search results of a corresponding content type related to saidany selected pivot icon. In some instances, a first pivot icon includedin the plurality of pivot icons corresponds to a first set of searchengines and a second pivot icon included in the plurality of pivot iconscorresponds to a second set of search engines that is different than thefirst set of search engines.

The plurality of pivot icons include, in at least some embodiments, atleast three of: a general search pivot icon which corresponds to a setof search engines configured for obtaining and filtering internet searchresults associated with a plurality of content types; an image searchpivot icon which corresponds to a set of search engines configured forobtaining and rendering internet search results associated with imagecontent as a plurality of images that are selectable links to webpagesassociated with the images; a video search pivot icon which correspondsto a set of search engines configured for obtaining and renderinginternet search results associated with video content as a plurality ofvideo links to webpages associated with the video content; a shoppingsearch pivot icon which corresponds to a set of search enginesconfigured for obtaining and rendering internet search resultsassociated with items available for sale; and a news search pivot iconwhich, when selected, identifies a first set of search enginesconfigured to obtain and filter search results for news content.

FIG. 28 illustrates another flow diagram 2800 of different acts that areassociated with disclosed embodiments for accessing and navigatinginternet content with a browser and for determining when/whether todisplay a SERP corresponding to the search results. In this embodiment,a browser dynamically controls when a SERP is displayed in response to asearch request.

First, the browser interface is presented (act 2802), which generatesand sends a search query to a search engine (act 2804) based on userinput. The browser also receives search results from the search enginebased on the search query, the search results including a SERP (act2806). Then, prior to rendering the SERP, the browser determines whetherto display or suppress the SERP based on one or more rules, the one ormore rules defining predetermined criteria that must be met prior todisplaying the SERP (act 2808). Thereafter, in response to determiningthe one or more rules are met, the browser displays the SERP, or else,in response to determining the one or more rules are not met, thebrowser automatically accesses and displays a webpage identified in theSERP (as referenced from the parsed/suppressed index, which is alsogenerated from the SERP) prior to and without rendering the SERP.

In some instances, the one or more rules are not met. In otherinstances, they are met. Sometimes, the rules include determining thatthe search results correspond to a particular type of content, such asmap content or contact information. This may be accomplished by parsingthe SERP when the SERP is received and/or by detecting signals in theSERP that identify particular data to display with the SERP URL listing.

FIG. 29 illustrates another flow diagram of different acts that areassociated with disclosed embodiments for accessing and navigatinginternet content with a browser that includes a plurality of pivot iconsthat are each associated with different types of content and differentsets of search engines configured to provide search resultscorresponding to a respective type of content associated with a selectedpivot icon, and wherein the browser also includes links for directlynavigating (with one step/input navigation) between the different searchengine results.

In these embodiments, the browser presents a browser interface with asearch field (act 2910). Then, the browser identifies input provided inthe search field (act 2920). This triggers (in some instances) thedisplaying a plurality of pivot icons, wherein each pivot icon isselectable and corresponds to a different content type (andcorresponding/different set of search engines, in some instances), andwherein selection of any pivot icon of the plurality of pivot icons willcause the browser interface to identify a plurality of correspondinglyrelated search engines that are capable of filtering for and providingsearch results of a corresponding content type related to said anyselected pivot icon (act 2930). In other instances, the pivot icons aredisplayed with the search field and prior to receiving/detecting userinput.

Then, in response to user input selecting a particular pivot icon of theplurality of pivot icons, the browser identifies a particular set ofsearch engines that are each configured to filter for and present aunique set of search results of a particular content type correspondingto the particular pivot icon which was selected. This is part of the actof forming and sending one or more query based on the input to each ofthe particular set of search engines (act 2940).

Next, the browser obtains and caches content from each of apredetermined quantity of search engines from the particular set ofsearch engines, wherein the content includes a first set of searchresults obtained and filtered by a first search engine responsive to thequery (act 2950). The predetermined number of search engines may bedifferent for each of the different pivot icons and may be customizableby a user specifying which search engines correspond to which pivoticons in one or more menu settings (not currently displayed in thedrawings).

Then, the browser displays the first set of search results whilesimultaneously refraining from displaying a second set of search resultsthat were obtained and filtered by a second search engine responsive tothe user input, the first set of search results being displayed in aprimary display frame of the browser interface (act 2960). This is shownin the drawings described above. Thereafter, in response to second userinput for navigating to the second set of search results (e.g.,selecting a link in the navigation control panel or in response toanother navigation input), the browser replaces the first set of searchresults that were obtained and filtered by the first search engine withthe second set of search results that were obtained and filtered by thesecond search engine, based on referencing the suppressed index thatlists the different search engine results (e.g., SERP webpages). Thesecond set of search results is also rendered in the in the primarydisplay frame of the browser interface, effectively replacing the firstset. However, in other embodiments, the second set of results isrendered in another window or tab of the primary browser window.

After displaying the first search results, the browser may also obtainand cache content from one or more predetermined quantity of differentsearch engines included in the predetermined quantity of search engines(as referenced by the suppressed index) after displaying the first setof search results and prior to receiving the second user input.

In some embodiments, the browser also hides the plurality of pivot iconswhile displaying the first set of search results. The browser may alsorender a pivot access icon to the plurality of pivot icons. This pivoticon may be configured to change colors, in some embodiments, to reflectthe selection state of a matching colored pivot icon.

In response to receiving user input directed at the pivot accessicon/link, the browser renders a new display of the plurality of pivoticons, wherein the new display of the plurality of pivot icons rendersthe plurality of pivot icons with at least one of a different size orconfiguration than the plurality of pivot icons were initially presentedwith the initial presentation of the pivot icons with the search field.

FIG. 30 illustrates another flow diagram 3000 of different acts that areassociated with disclosed embodiments for accessing and navigatinginternet content with a browser that includes a plurality of pivot iconsthat are each associated with different types of content and differentsets of search engines configured to provide search resultscorresponding to a respective type of content associated with a selectedpivot icon, and wherein the browser also includes links for directlynavigating (with one step/input navigation) between the different searchengine results.

In these embodiments, a browser presents a browser interface with asearch field (act 3010). Then, in response to first user input enteredat the search field, the browser presents a plurality of pivot icons,wherein each pivot icon is selectable and corresponds to a differentcontent type, and wherein selection of any pivot icon of the pluralityof pivot icons will cause the browser interface to identify a pluralityof correspondingly related search engines that are capable of filteringfor and providing search results of a corresponding content type relatedto said any selected pivot icon (act 3020).

Thereafter, in response to second user input selecting a particularpivot icon of the plurality of pivot icons, the browser identifies aparticular set of search engines that that are each configured to filterfor and present a unique set of search results of a particular contenttype corresponding to the particular pivot icon which was selected (act3030). The browser also obtains and displays a listing of the particularset of search engines in a first presentation area of the browserinterface (e.g., the navigation control panel that is built with linksidentified in the suppressed index) while simultaneously displaying afirst set of search results obtained from a first search engine of theparticular set of search engines in a different presentation area of thebrowser interface (based on referencing the suppressed index), thedisplayed first set of search results comprising search results thatwere obtained and filtered by the first search engine. (act 3040).

Then, in response to detecting input selecting (act 3060) anotherdisplayed pivot icon (act 3050), such as pivot access link, and/or inresponse to detecting input selection one of the plurality of presentedpivot icons corresponding to different content types (act 3070), whichare presented in response to the selection of the pivot access linkand/or in response to other navigation input, the system identifies asecond set of search engines that are configured for rendering contentof the newly selected content type (e.g., new pivot icon). In thisregard, the user is able to pivot between different types of content, asdescribed above. This type of pivoting may include storing differentsuppressed indexes, one for each type of content type, each of which maycorrespond to different sets of search indexes and webpages in thesuppressed indexes. The different indexes may be generated dynamically,in response to a user selecting a different pivot and which triggers anew search based on the content type of the selected pivot.

It will be noted that is a different type of pivot than the pivotingbetween links of search engines listed in a single suppressed index andthat correspond to a single pivot/content type.

Each search and suppressed index may be based on results from apredetermined quantity of search engines, which may be the same ordifferent than the search engines used to obtain results for the firstpivot search and corresponding suppressed index.

FIG. 31 illustrates another flow diagram 3100 of different acts that areassociated with disclosed embodiments for generating a suppressed indexthat is based off of a crawler protocol file and a linked sitemap file,as well as for facilitating navigation of the corresponding linkedwebpages with the suppressed index.

In these embodiments, the system identifies a particular webpage thatincludes a plurality of links to other webpages (act 3110). The systemalso accesses a crawler protocol file (such as a robots.txt file) forthe particular webpage (act 3120) and parses the crawler protocol fileto find an index file (such as a sitemap.XML file) from among otherlisted webpage files identified in the crawler protocol file (act 3130).The sitemap.XML file or other identified index file is associated withthe particular webpage and identifies webpage addresses for the otherwebpages that are linked to by the particular webpage. Once the systemaccesses the sitemap.XML file or other index file (act 3140), the systemparses the index/sitemap file to identify a plurality of webpage linkscorresponding to the other webpages (act 3150).

The system also generates an index that identifies the plurality ofwebpages and suppresses that index in memory, without displaying theindex by the browser (act 3160). The suppressed index is also filtered,in some instances, to omit one or more webpage links from the suppressedindex, as previously described (act 3170).

After the index is suppressed, the browser renders a webpage identifiedin the suppressed link, such as a first referenced webpage (act 3180).This act may include corresponding sub-acts of displaying a particularwebpage with a browser mode icon (act 3182), detecting input selectingthe browser mode icon (act 3184), accessing the suppressed index inresponse to detecting the input selecting the browser mode icon (act3186).

The system also accesses and displays a set of one or more webpagesidentified in the suppressed index (in one or more corresponding tabs,for example), which are linked/referenced by the particular webpage, andprior to receiving user input selecting the one or more of the pluralityof links to those webpages from the particular webpage. This is shownand described in reference to FIGS. 21-23.

In some embodiments, the system can also access and display theparticular set of one or more webpages prior to displaying theparticular webpage. This could occur, for example, in response tostarting the browser in the Cake browser mode before entering the URL ofthe particular webpage into the URL field.

In some instances, the system only accesses and parses the index fileand accessing and displaying the particular set of one or more webpagesonly occurs in response to the system determining/identifying apredetermined quantity of webpage addresses exist for thereferenced/other webpages that are linked to in the particular webpage.This way, the system conserves resources when, for instance, the webpagedoes not link a sufficient quantity of related links/webpages to justifythe parsing of the web crawler and sitemap files.

In some instances, the different webpages identified in the sitemap.XMLfile are hosted by the same domain that is hosting the particularwebpage. In other instances, the linked/referenced webpages are hostedby different domains.

When multiple webpages are linked and identified in the sitemap file,the suppressed index is built and used to generate and display anavigation control panel with selectable links to at least some of themultiple different webpages included in the listing of webpages in thesitemap file and suppressed index. Each link in the navigation controlpanel is a selectable object that, when selected, each causes thebrowser to navigate to a different webpage associated with thecorresponding selected link/object. In this manner, the suppressed indexis used to control navigation of the linked content, even though thesuppressed index is not displayed and, in some instances, withoutrequiring the user to select the linked content from the initial webpagethat references the linked content.

FIG. 32 illustrates another flow diagram 3200 of various acts that areassociated with disclosed embodiments for utilizing and modifying anavigation control panel that includes links to a suppressed index andfor navigating the corresponding webpages identified in the suppressedindex.

In these embodiments, the system identifies an index to a plurality ofwebpages (act 3202). This index can include a SERP (3204) or an indexbuilt off of a webpage (as described in FIG. 31) (3206). The system alsoaccesses and renders a first webpage identified in the index (act 3208).The system also generates and renders a navigation control panel thatlists a plurality of webpage links corresponding to the plurality ofwebpages identified in the index, each of the plurality of webpage linksbeing configured, when selected, to cause the browser to navigate to awebpage corresponding to a selected webpage link (act 3210).

Then, in response to receiving input for navigating from the firstwebpage to a particular webpage identified in the index and thatcorresponds to a particular webpage link in the navigation control panel(act 3212), the system updates the navigation control panel to present anew webpage link in response to navigation to the particular webpage(act 3214). This is shown in many of the Figures described above.

The system also emphasizes, in some embodiments, one or more webpagelinks in the navigation control panel relative to one or more otherwebpage links in the navigation control panel (act 3216), such as bycentering or justifying a webpage link in the navigation control paneland/or changing a font and/or size of a webpage link in the navigationcontrol panel (act 3218).

In some embodiments, the system also emphasizes a link by deemphasizingone or more other webpage links, such as by changing a font, size,transparency and/or position of the one or more other webpage links (act3220).

The system also, in some embodiments, updates the navigation controlpanel by removing at least one webpage link from the navigation controlpanel (act 3222).

In some embodiments, the navigation control panel or other component ofthe browser interface also includes a selectable link to the suppressedindex, SERP, or the webpage that was used to form the suppressed index(act 3224). This link may be presented with at least one secondarywebpage that was linked to by the primary webpage and that was displayedwithout a user selecting a link to the secondary webpage from theprimary webpage (which was used to form the suppressed index).

With regard to the foregoing methods, it will be appreciated that eachof the foregoing methods may include more or less acts than those thatare illustrated. Accordingly, it is not necessary for each embodimentillustrated in a particular flow diagram to include each of theillustrated acts. Furthermore, some embodiments include acts frommultiple different flow diagrams. Accordingly, it will be appreciatedthat disclosed and claimed embodiments include any combination of thefunctionality and features described herein. Some features, for example,of the different browser interfaces may be combined.

Attention will now be directed to FIG. 33, which illustrates an exampleof a computing environment with a computing system 3300 that may be usedto implement aspects of the invention, including embodiments related tothe generation and use of suppressed indexes to facilitate navigation ofcontent, as well as the embodiments related to the pivot icons andnavigation controls described herein.

As shown, the computing system 3300 (comprising a distributed orstandalone computing system) includes one or more processors (e.g.,CPU(s), GPU(s), etc.) 3310 and various I/O devices 3320 (e.g., I/Odisplays, including touch sensitive screens, interfaces, speakers,cameras, microphones and/or keyboards, etc.). The computing system 3300can be a mobile device, a cell phone, a phablet, a tablet, a notebookcomputer, a desktop computer, a kiosk, a television or any other deviceconfigured with the components described herein and that is configuredto implement the functionality described herein.

The processors 3310 access and execute computer-executable instructionsstored within the storage 3330 (which may be volatile and/ornon-volatile storage) and which may include system memory, to causevarious functions to be performed, such as the acts recited in theembodiments described herein.

The storage 3330 also contains code and stored data structures, forexample, to instantiate or operate the browsers and browser componentsdescribed herein, as well as to generate and utilize the suppressedindexes and navigation controls described herein.

The storage 3330 also contains sitemap files 3331, cached content 3332from remote systems and locally generated data, UI/Browser content 3333,SERP structures 3334, suppressed indexes 3335, rules for displaying SERP3336 and other indexes, as well as other structures and modules that areused for implementing the claimed functionality, including browsinghistories, pivot access histories, user preferences and profiles thatare referenced for controlling the manner in which the interfaces arepresented to the user(s). The storage can also include parsinginstructions and pivot routing instructions, which may also be stored inan edge server or other remote server (e.g., other system 3397) betweenthe browser system 3300 and other remote servers that contain thecontent that is provided to the browser system 3330. In some instances,the storage is a distributed storage and some of the stored contents aremaintained in one or more remote computing systems (e.g., 3380, 3397,etc.).

The computing system interfaces through one or more network connections3370 with one or more remote computing systems 3380 and/or othersystem(s) 3397 to perform search queries, to obtain search results, toparse search results, to generate indexes, to navigate indexed contentand to perform the other functionality described herein. The remoteservers/systems 3380 may include various dedicated or distributed domainhosts, including search engines and the systems hosting the searchengines described herein. Communications passing between the browsersystem 3300 and the remote systems 3380 include search requests 3375,webpages 3390 and other related content, display instructions 3392, SERPstructures, crawler protocol files 3396, sitemap files 3398 and othercontent that is utilized to implement the aspects of the inventiondescribed herein.

The browser system 3300 also includes an XML, reader 3340, a parser3350, browser 3360 and other applications and modules that may be storedin the storage and/or that may be implemented by specialized hardware(e.g., NIC, ASIC or other hardware). The XML reader 3340 is configuredto read sitemap XML files and other XML structures. When the sitemapfiles described herein are in a format other than XML, the XML reader3340 is configured with code that corresponds to and that is capable ofparsing and reading the sitemap files. The parser 3350 is configured toparse different structures, including SERP structures, web crawlerprotocol files and the indexes described herein to identify links tocontent and to identify instructions for rendering content. The browser3360 is configured as an application with interfaces and components, asdescribed herein, that accept user input and that display outputcorresponding to the user input. The browser is also configured tointerface with the other system 3300 components and remote systems toperform the functionality described herein.

As described herein, systems are provided for enabling a user tonavigate content between search engine results, navigate SERP results,and navigate linked content on a webpage, without requiring the user tosubmit multiple queries and/or without requiring the user to continuallyreturn to the original SERP or webpage to access the linked content. Infact, a user can navigate through a plurality (2, 3, 4 or more) webpageslinked in a SERP or other index that reference the webpages beingnavigated and without ever displaying the SERP or without displaying theother index which is used and referenced by the browser to perform thenavigation. In this regard, the disclosed embodiments facilitatecontinuous navigation from a suppressed/hidden index, without displayingthe index during the navigation. This greatly improves the efficiencyfor navigating internet content, particularly on mobile devices andparticularly when the linked content is hosted by different domains.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing embodiments providesignificant advantages over tools like the I'm Feeling Lucky tool byGoogle which randomizes or modifies a search to provide a result thatthe engine believes is a desired target by simply providing a highestmatching result or that is based on a targeted profile setting and whichdoes this without suppressing any index, particularly an index thatcontinues to be navigable (and suppressed from view, while one or moreof the index results are loaded into memory for expedited navigation).Instead, if the results are not what the user wants, they have to goback to the browser's main page or a SERP to navigate to another page.The I'm Feeling Lucky tool and other similar tools do not provide anymechanism for accessing and caching, in memory, the results from asearch query, while also suppressing the SERP index from the user, andwhile enabling the user to navigate through the cached content, asdescribed by the methods and systems provided in this disclosure.

The disclosed embodiments are also quite different than the Stumble Upontools/widgets that enable a user to click a button to navigate to arandom page. While this tool may enable navigation without displaying aSERP index, this tool also fails to provide a user the ability to queryfor a desired search result that is associated with an index that isnavigable (while being suppressed).

The disclosed embodiments are also quite different than a frame or otherinterface tool that is simply layered over a browser. While there areembodiments of the disclosure that can certainly utilize frames forpresenting content, the disclosed querying, parsing, and (sometimes)navigation are, preferably, performed above the page DOM (DocumentObject Model), as part of the browser. This is beneficial, because itenables suppression of the index and controlled display of the navigatedcontent through the browser, which might otherwise be capable ofbreaking out of a frame.

In some alternative embodiments, however, a frame may be used tointercept content being displayed and to suppress the content (e.g.,index) before it is displayed, while redirecting the display to linkedcontent associated with the suppressed content. The navigation dashboardmay also be provided with a frame, or alternatively, be presenteddirectly as part of the browser tool palette.

Embodiments of the present invention may comprise or utilize a specialpurpose or general-purpose computer including computer hardware, asdiscussed in greater detail below. Embodiments within the scope of thepresent invention also include physical and other computer-readablemedia for carrying or storing computer-executable instructions and/ordata structures. Such computer-readable media can be any available mediathat can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computersystem. Computer-readable media that store computer-executableinstructions are physical storage media. Computer-readable media thatcarry computer-executable instructions are transmission media. Thus, byway of example, and not limitation, embodiments of the invention cancomprise at least two distinctly different kinds of computer-readablemedia: physical computer-readable storage media and transmissioncomputer-readable media.

Physical computer-readable storage media includes RAM, ROM, EEPROM,CD-ROM or other optical disk storage (such as CDs, DVDs, etc.), magneticdisk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other mediumwhich can be used to store desired program code means in the form ofcomputer-executable instructions or data structures and which can beaccessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer.

A “network” is defined as one or more data links that enable thetransport of electronic data between computer systems and/or modulesand/or other electronic devices. When information is transferred orprovided over a network or another communications connection (eitherhardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to acomputer, the computer properly views the connection as a transmissionmedium. Transmissions media can include a network and/or data linkswhich can be used to carry computer-executable instructions withoutstoring the computer-executable instructions in a recordable-type media.Combinations of the above are also included within the scope ofcomputer-readable media.

Further, upon reaching various computer system components, program codemeans in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structurescan be transferred automatically from transmission computer-readablemedia to physical computer-readable storage media (or vice versa). Forexample, computer-executable instructions or data structures receivedover a network or data link can be buffered in RAM within a networkinterface module (e.g., a “NIC”), and then eventually transferred tocomputer system RAM and/or to less volatile computer-readable physicalstorage media at a computer system. Thus, computer-readable physicalstorage media can be included in computer system components that also(or even primarily) utilize transmission media.

Computer-executable instructions comprise, for example, instructions anddata which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer,or special purpose processing device to perform a certain function orgroup of functions. The computer-executable instructions may be, forexample, binaries, intermediate format instructions such as assemblylanguage, or even source code. Although the subject matter has beendescribed in language specific to structural features and/ormethodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matterdefined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to thedescribed features or acts described above. Rather, the describedfeatures and acts are disclosed as example forms of implementing theclaims.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may bepracticed in network computing environments with many types of computersystem configurations, including, personal computers, desktop computers,laptop computers, message processors, hand-held devices, multi-processorsystems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics,network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, mobile telephones,PDAs, pagers, routers, switches, and the like. The invention may also bepracticed in distributed system environments where local and remotecomputer systems, which are linked (either by hardwired data links,wireless data links, or by a combination of hardwired and wireless datalinks) through a network, both perform tasks. In a distributed systemenvironment, program modules may be located in both local and remotememory storage devices.

Alternatively, or in addition, the functionality described herein can beperformed, at least in part, by one or more hardware logic components.For example, and without limitation, illustrative types of hardwarelogic components that can be used include Field-programmable Gate Arrays(FPGAs), Program-specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Program-specificStandard Products (ASSPs), System-on-a-chip systems (SOCs), ComplexProgrammable Logic Devices (CPLDs), etc.

It will be appreciated that the scope of this disclosure includescomputer program products comprising one or more storage devices havingstored computer-executable instructions which are executable by one ormore processors of a computing system for causing the computing systemto implement the methods and functionality described herein. Likewise,the disclosed embodiments include computing system(s) comprising one ormore processors and one or more storage devices having storedcomputer-executable instructions which are executable by the one or moreprocessors for causing the computing system(s) to implement the methodsand functionality described herein.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or characteristics. The described embodimentsare to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and notrestrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by theappended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changeswhich come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims areto be embraced within their scope.

We claim:
 1. A computer-implemented method implemented by a browser forsuppressing and utilizing a SERP (search engine results page), themethod comprising: generating and sending a search query to a searchengine; receiving search results from the search engine based on thesearch query, the search results comprising a SERP (search engine resultpage); prior to and without rendering the SERP, identifying a particularwebpage identified in the search results; and accessing and displayingthe particular webpage automatically while also providing a one inputlink to the SERP from a display of the particular webpage.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein the search query is based on user input entered atan interface of the search engine hosted by a first domain and whereinthe particular webpage is rendered independently from the first domainand by a second domain.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the one inputlink comprises an undisplayed swipe gesture link.
 4. The method of claim1, wherein the one input link comprises a displayed object.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the method further includes presenting a linkto one or more different webpages identified in the particular listingof webpages while simultaneously displaying the particular webpage andthe one input link to the SERP.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein themethod further includes parsing the SERP and generating a new parsedindex of webpage links that comprises a subset webpage links from alisting of webpage links identified by the SERP and which omits at leastone webpage link identified by the SERP.
 7. The method of claim 6,wherein the method further includes navigating forward or backwardbetween different webpages associated with the webpage links in responseto user input entered at the browser based on a sequence of the listingof webpage links defined by the new parsed index, rather than adifferent sequence of the listing of webpage links defined by the SERP,while refraining from displaying the new parsed index.
 8. A computerprogram product comprising one or more storage devices having storedcomputer-executable instructions which are executable by one or moreprocessors of a computing system for causing the computing system toimplement a method for suppressing and utilizing a SERP (search engineresults page), wherein the method comprises the computing system:generating and sending a search query to a search engine; receivingsearch results from the search engine based on the search query, thesearch results comprising a SERP (search engine result page); prior toand without rendering the SERP, identifying a particular webpageidentified in the search results; and accessing and displaying theparticular webpage automatically while also providing a one input linkto the SERP from a display of the particular webpage.
 9. The computerprogram product of claim 8, wherein the search query is based on userinput entered at an interface of the search engine hosted by a firstdomain and wherein the particular webpage is rendered independently fromthe first domain and by a second domain.
 10. The computer programproduct of claim 8, wherein the one input link comprises an undisplayedswipe gesture link.
 11. The computer program product of claim 8, whereinthe one input link comprises a displayed object.
 12. The computerprogram product of claim 8, wherein the method further includespresenting a link to one or more different webpages identified in theparticular listing of webpages while simultaneously displaying theparticular webpage and the one input link to the SERP.
 13. The computerprogram product of claim 8, wherein the method further includes: parsingthe SERP and generating a new parsed index of webpage links thatcomprises a subset webpage links from a listing of webpage linksidentified by the SERP and which omits at least one webpage linkidentified by the SERP; and navigating forward or backward betweendifferent webpages associated with the webpage links in response to userinput entered at the browser based on a sequence of the listing ofwebpage links defined by the new parsed index, rather than a differentsequence of the listing of webpage links defined by the SERP, whilerefraining from displaying the new parsed index.
 14. A computing systemcomprising: one or more processors; and one or more storage deviceshaving stored computer-executable instructions which are executable bythe one or more processors for causing the computing system to implementa method for suppressing and utilizing a SERP (search engine resultspage), the method comprising: generating and sending a search query to asearch engine; receiving search results from the search engine based onthe search query, the search results comprising a SERP (search engineresult page); prior to and without rendering the SERP, identifying aparticular webpage identified in the search results; and accessing anddisplaying the particular webpage automatically while also providing aone input link to the SERP from a display of the particular webpage. 15.The computing system of claim 14, wherein the search query is based onuser input entered at an interface of the search engine hosted by afirst domain and wherein the particular webpage is renderedindependently from the first domain and by a second domain.
 16. Thecomputing system of claim 14, wherein the one input link comprises anundisplayed swipe gesture link.
 17. The computing system of claim 14,wherein the one input link comprises a
 18. The computing system of claim14, wherein the method further includes presenting a link to one or moredifferent webpages identified in the particular listing of webpageswhile simultaneously displaying the particular webpage and the one inputlink to the SERP.
 19. The computing system of claim 14, wherein themethod further includes parsing the SERP and generating a new parsedindex of webpage links that comprises a subset webpage links from alisting of webpage links identified by the SERP and which omits at leastone webpage link identified by the SERP.
 20. The computing system ofclaim 19, wherein the method further includes navigating forward orbackward between different webpages associated with the webpage links inresponse to user input entered at the browser based on a sequence of thelisting of webpage links defined by the new parsed index, rather than adifferent sequence of the listing of webpage links defined by the SERP,while refraining from displaying the new parsed index.